Green choices for your home, your pocket

Living a greener lifestyle isn’t just about conserving natural resources. It’s also about saving money. Whether you’re renovating your existing home or building from the ground up, you can create a home that’s more efficient, cost effective and “green.”

• Insulate against air.

A well-insulated home conserves the most energy by creating an airtight seal, locking out any potential air drafts. To properly insulate, replace old windows and doors with more energy-efficient options — such as those made by Pella — including triple-pane glass and extra insulation to the walls or roof.

• Make energy-efficient choices.

Inefficient appliances can cause a spike in your gas, water and electric usage. For a simple change, choose LED bulbs for all your light fixtures. To conserve even more energy, opt for high-efficiency upgrades for your larger appliances, like refrigerators, dishwashers and clothes dryers, and install water-conserving bathroom fixtures to help cut down your home’s overall water usage.

• Maximize natural light.

When you’re able to rely on natural light for most of the day, the cost of your electric bill decreases. If you’re renovating, think about ways you can incorporate new window openings to increase the amount of natural light your home currently is receiving. If you’re building, think about incorporating an open-floor plan with lots of windows to maximize the flow of natural light from room to room.

• Design it to last.

Trends quickly come in and out of style. For the larger architectural features of your home, choose design elements that will stand the test of time — reducing the likelihood of another renovation. Leave the trendy design choices to smaller decor pieces that easily and inexpensively can be switched out when it’s time for a change.

For more design inspiration, visit Pella Windows and Doors on Houzz, or visit Pella.com to schedule an in-home consultation with a local Pella expert.